Evan Alexander Cole

Evan Alexander Cole was born on March 24, 2011, to Justin and Frances Cole in Denver, Colorado. 

Evan has two older brothers, Brayden and Dominic, and a younger sister, Tessa. Justin passed away in 2022, and now Evan is also loved by his step-dad, Ryan Cassidy and step-siblings Cora, Alice and Carson. Evan was taken to heaven and Jesus’ welcoming embrace the evening of August 15, 2026. He is 15 years old. Evan stands 5’11 and ½ of an inch tall – he hoped to be 6’1 when he was finished growing. Evan loves sports, basketball and football were his favorite. Evan was very disappointed in Wembanyama’s fizzle out in this year’s NBA playoffs but held out hope that the Spurs would pull it together next year. Evan loved playing one-on-one basketball with his oldest brother Brayden and beat him in a game the afternoon of his accident. Brayden also beat him in their first game, but that didn’t matter. Evan loved his brother Dominic who he spent so much time with this last year. Dominic was Evan’s ride to school, but also the kind brother who would take Evan and his friends fishing or to disc golf whenever they wanted to go. Evan and Tessa were very close, with a relationship where they teased each other and loved each other an equal amount of time. Evan’s stepsiblings loved when Evan would shoot hoops with them and teach them how to hold the basketball. Brayden, Dominic, Evan, and Tessa have a special bond as siblings and are all growing into amazing people. Brayden and Dominic had a matching SAT score when they were juniors, and Evan was planning to match or beat them both. Evan was super proud of Dominic for joining the Navy this year, and didn’t mind that Dom’s leaving for boot camp meant he got his own room. Evan loved playing cards with Tessa and beating her and the rest of the family in Scrabble regularly. He hated to read, which was funny, as he had an extensive vocabulary and an eye for maximizing word points. Evan taught Tessa to play basketball and was teaching her how to hold the disc properly for disc golf on the last day of his life. Evan woke up every morning ready to go have an adventure. He was very active and fishing with his buddies was his favorite pastime. Evan was a good student, although he really considered school and homework an unfortunate necessity that wasted fishing time. Evan was recognized for his leadership qualities several times over the years. Evan made friends very easily, and several Windsor Charter kids have shared with our family that they were Evan’s best friend. Evan was also a persuasive debater, and could verbalize arguments to win his point quite frequently.

Evan had a soft heart and especially liked babies and little kids. He worked as a youth sports referee for the Windsor recreation department for the last year and a half. He worked soccer games at Eastman Park and also refereed youth basketball. Evan prided himself on starting his games either early or on time and on knowing how to keep the volunteer coaches in line. Evan was a sophomore at Windsor Charter Academy. WCA holds a special place in our family’s heart, and we are grateful to be a part of that community. Evan made the JV basketball team as a freshman last year and played hard every game. Evan played wing and forward, but he loved defending the most. He took special joy in emphatically blocking an opposing player’s shot. Evan loved playing with his club team, the Alley Hoopers coached by Ryan Halas, a close family friend, but only known as “coach” to Evan when things got real during the season. Evan also played flag football through elementary and middle school, and had an arm like a rocket. With him at quarterback, his Fort Collins rec team won the league championship and his school team won the championship game for Windsor Charter. Evan’s friends Aiden Halas, Sawyer Hicks, Jonah Overton, TJ Stromer, and Ryan Marini were some of his favorite people to spend time with. We will always be grateful for the love they showed him through the years. Evan dealt with many challenges in his life, most notable being Justin’s death in 2022. However, he grew and matured through everything knowing fully that hewould be reunited with his dad in the end.Evan’s faith was very important to him and we know the saints and angels took him directly to God’s throne and all of our family ahead of us was waiting there for him when he arrived. Evan especially loved the Annunciation Heights summer camp in Estes Park and spent a week there each of the last five years. Evan was considering applying to be a Counselor in Training next summer. 

On July 4th of this year, Evan met a special young lady named Olivia at the Windsor Lake fireworks. The following week, he laid out a case on why he should get an exception to our family rule of no dating until age 16. It included promises of maintaining all A’s and B’s this year, turning in all assignments by their due dates, and playing with each of his siblings at least 30 minutes per day. After I met Olivia and learned what a sweet girl she is, we decided to approve. Evan and Olivia talked on the phone almost every night this last month, often for an hour or more. They went to the Larimer County Fair carnival with our family, and she came over the week before last to bake cookies with Evan and watch a movie at our house. It was the only time in Evan’s life he cleaned the kitchen and washed dishes without being asked. Spending time with Olivia made Evan very happy and he admired her very much. Their last time spent together was the Wednesday before school started and they bought each other a small teddy bear. We found Evan’s bear from Olivia on his pillow when I went down to his bedroom the night he passed away. We will keep that always, and are thankful to God for bringing Evan some extra joy through Olivia in the last month of his life here on earth. 

Evan will live in our hearts and memories forever. We will always treasure his flashing smile, teasing attitude, and competitive spirit. His sense of humor, enthusiasm for life, and passion for having a positive impact on others will be greatly missed. He was a loyal friend, loving sibling, encourager of others, and a wonderful son. Evan had a positive impact on each of our lives and on our family. As is with all kids, we will miss the side of him God was still working on as well. The wise cracks, combative remarks, and “Don’t tell mom” statements were part of his identity. We love him more than we can say. 

Evan is survived by his mother Frances Cassidy, step-father Ryan Cassidy, brothers Brayden andDominic, sister Tessa, step-sisters Cora and Alice, step-brother Carson, grandmother GeorgiaLujan, grandmother Lorella Bridges, step-grandparents Steve and Sandy Cassidy, step-grandparents Rich and Janet Craighead, aunt Joslynn and uncle Jesus Ortiz, aunt Rachel Palfy, aunt Gabriella and uncle Travor Davis, uncle Tim Palfy Jr., aunt Nicole Palfy, uncle Steve Cole, uncle James Cole, uncle Michael Cole, cousins Maria Luisa and Jose Luis Ortiz, cousins KayleeWaugh and Junior Palfy, Ashtyn, LulaBelle, Lucia, and Dalton Davis, cousin Raeann Palfy, andmany other extended family members. Evan was preceded in death by his father, Justin Cole, grandfather Tim Palfy Sr., grandfather David Bridges, great-grandmother Lula Belle, great-grandmother Mary Cole, and many other extended family members.

A viewing will be held Friday, August 21st at 10:00 am, followed by Mass at 11:00 am, at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, 1250 7th St, Windsor, CO 80550